• Mycobiology
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.461-468
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• 2021

The genus Laccaria (Hydnangiaceae, Agaricales) plays an important role in forest ecosystems as an ectomycorrhizal fungus, contributing to nutrient cycles through symbiosis with many types of trees. Though understanding Laccaria diversity and distribution patterns, as well as its association with host plants, is fundamental to constructing a balanced plant diversity and conducting effective forest management, previous studies have not been effective in accurately investigating, as they relied heavily on specimen collection alone. To investigate the true diversity and distribution pattern of Laccaria species and determine their host types, we used four different approaches: specimen-based analysis, open database search (ODS), NGS analysis, and species-specific PCR (SSP). As a result, 14 Laccaria species have been confirmed in Korea. Results regarding the species distribution pattern were different between specimen-based analysis and SSP. However, when both were integrated, the exact distribution pattern of each Laccaria species was determined. In addition, the SSP revealed that many Laccaria species have a wide range of host types. This study shows that using these four different approaches is useful in determining the diversity, distribution, and host of ECM fungi. Furthermore, results obtained for Laccaria will serve as a baseline to help understand the role of ECM fungi in forest management in response to climate change.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.137-143
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• 1999

A novel chromosomal gene tagging technique using a specific fragment of the fatty acid desaturase-like open reading frame (des-like ORF) from the tox-argK gene cluster of Pseudomonas syringae pv. phaseolicola was developed to identify Xanthomonas spp.released into the environment as biocontrol agents. X. campestris pv. convolvuli FB-635, a pathogen of Convolvulus arvensis L., (bindweed), was chosen as the organism in which to develop and test the system. A 0.52 kb DES fragment amplified from P. syringae pv. phaseolicola C-199 was inserted into pGX15, a cosmid clone containing a 10.3 kb Eco RI-HindIII fragment derived from the xanthomonadin biosynthetic gene cluster contained in plasmid pIG102, to create a pigG::DES insertion. The 10.8 kb EcoRI-BamHI fragment carrying the pigG:: DES insertion was cloned into pLAFR3 to generate pLXP22. pLXP22 was then conjugated into X. campestris pv. convolvuli FB-635 and the pigG::DES insertion integrated into the bacterial chromosome by marker exchange. Rifampicin resistant, tetracycline sensitive, starch hydrolyzing, white colonies were used to differentiate the marked strain from yellow pigmented wild-type ones. PCR primers specific for the unique DES fragment were used for direct detection of the marked strain. Result showed the marked strain could be detected at very low levels even in the presence of high levels of other closely related or competitive bacteria. This PCR-based DES-tagging system provides a rapid and specific tool for directly monitoring the dispersal and persistence of Xanthomonas spp.released into the environment.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.13-19
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• 2003

Genomic DNA from the muscle of marsh clam (Corbicula leana) from Gochang, Muan and a Chinese site was extracted to identify genetic differences and similarity by randomly amplified polymorphic DNAs-polymerase chain reaction (RAPD- PCR). Out of 20 primers, seven primers produced amplified fragments which were consistently polymorphic. A total of 1,246 amplified products were produced of which 530 were polymorphic $(42.5\%)$. The number of polymorphic bands produced per primer varied from 40 to 122 with an average of 75.7 in marsh clam from Gochang. 3.28 of the 23.0 polymorphic bands per lane were found to be polymorphic. Also, about $4.34\%$ of total polymorphic bands were specific to marsh clam from Gochang. The major common bands of 0.28 kb generated by primer OPB-15 (GGAGGGTGTT) were present in every individuals, which were polymorphic. This common bands in every individuals should be diagnostic of specific strains, species and/or their relatedness. Primer OPB-19 (ACCCCCGAAG) produced the highest number of 12 specific bands. The intra-population variation was revealed in the band patterns identified by this primer. The random primer OPB-12 (CCTTGACGCA) yielded the amplified fragments which were consistently polymorphic between the marsh clams from Gochang and from Muan. This primer produced a total of 77 polymorphic bands: 31 bands from Gochang, 14 from Muan and 32 from the Chinese populations. An average of polymorphic bands were 1.8 from Gochang and 2.5 from the Chinese populations. This value obtained from the Chinese population was higher than those from the two domestic populations. Generally, the RAPD polymorphism generated by these primers may be useful as a genetic marker for strain or population identification of marsh clam.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.99-104
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• 2013

To detect five plant viruses (Beet black scorch virus, Beet necrotic yellow vein virus, Eggplant mottled dwarf virus, Pelargonium zonate spot virus, and Rice yellow mottle virus) for quarantine purposes, we designed 15 RT-PCR primer sets. Primer design was based on the nucleotide sequence of the coat protein gene, which is highly conserved within species. All but one primer set successfully amplified the targets, and gradient PCRs indicated that the optimal temperature for the 14 useful primer sets was $51.9^{\circ}C$. Some primer sets worked well regardless of annealing temperature while others required a very specific annealing temperature. A primer specificity test using plant total RNAs and cDNAs of other plant virus-infected samples demonstrated that the designed primer sets were highly specific and generated reproducible results. The newly developed RT-PCR primer sets would be useful for quarantine inspections aimed at preventing the entry of exotic plant viruses into Korea.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.26 no.4 s.87
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• pp.574-582
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• 1998

Five basidiocarps of Pholiota species have been collected from the areas of BubJu Temple for last two years, and identified to those of P. adiposa or Pholiota species. The taxonomy of these basidiocarps with the morphological aspects was compared with the analysis obtained from the polymorphisms of PCR-RAPD bands made after reacted with the random primers. The polymorphic variations were observed within the species of the basidiocarps, but not between genomic DNA's of the mycelia obtained and the basidiocarps. Several different bands made from the primers (28 and 36) in PCR-RAPD reactions were identified within the genus of Pholiota and speculated to be specific for the individual basidiocarp of P. adiposa collected. The primers employed here were considered to be very useful for distinguishing the individual isolates or basidiocarps collected from the fields. Also, the basidiospores were obtained from the sporeprints of the above basidiocarps as a simple agar and confirmed with observations of clamp connection under microscopes. The matings of them indicated the 'tetrapolar' type, being different from the 'bipolar' type reported by Japanese basidiocarps of P. adiposa or P. nameko. Based on our work, the edible fungi collected were speculated to be a new breeding resource for those of Pholiota commercialized in Japan.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.193-206
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• 2022

Astringent persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.) is an important fruit crop in Korea; it possesses significant medicinal potential. However, knowledge regarding the pathogens affecting this crop, particularly, viruses and viroids, is limited. In the present study, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and high-throughput transcriptome sequencing (HTS) were used to investigate the viruses and viroids infecting astringent persimmons cultivated in Korea. A one-step multiplex RT-PCR (mRT-PCR) method for the simultaneous detection of the pathogens was developed by designing species-specific primers and selecting the primer pairs via combination and detection limit testing. Seven of the sixteen cultivars tested were found to be infection-free. The RT-PCR and HTS analyses identified two viruses and one viroid in the infected samples (n = 51/100 samples collected from 16 cultivars). The incidence of single infections (n = 39/51) was higher than that of mixed infections (n = 12/51); the infection rate of the Persimmon cryptic virus was the highest (n = 31/39). Comparison of the monoplex and mRT-PCR results using randomly selected samples confirmed the efficiency of mRT-PCR for the identification of pathogens. Collectively, the present study provides useful resources for developing disease-free seedlings; further, the developed mRT-PCR method can be extended to investigate pathogens in other woody plants.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.335-338
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• 2005

For the development of qualitative PCR detection method of genetically modified rice (Oryza sativa L.), rice species specific gene, SAMDC1 (S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase), was selected and validated as suitable for use as an endogenous reference gene in rice. The primer pair OsSAMDC1-5'/3' with 110 bp amplicon was used for amplification of the rice endogenous gene, SAMDC1 and no amplified product was observed from 19 different plants as templates. Qualitative PCR method was assayed with 2 different GM rices (Milyang 204 and Iksan 483) developed in Korea. For the qualitative PCRs, the construct-specific detection primer pairs were constructed. Os204-5'/OsNOS-3' amplifying the junction region of GUS gene and NOS terminator introduced in Milyang 204 gave rise to an amplicon 172 bp; also, Os483-5'/OsNOS-3' amplifying the junction region of Bar gene and NOS terminator introduced in Iksan 483 gave rise to an amplicon 161 bp.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.680-686
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• 2014

Acanthopanacis Cortex has been used for oriental medicinal purposes in Asian countries especially in Korea and China. In the Korean Pharmacopeia, the cortexes of the dried roots, stems and branches of all species in Eleutherococcus and Eleutherococcus sessiliflorus are known as 'Ogapi'. Mostly the cortexes of E. gracilistylus roots and E.senticosus roots were used as 'Ogapi' in China and Japan, respectively. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine and compare the molecular authentication of Korean 'Ogapi' by using the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. The ITS region has the highest possibility of effective and successful identification for the widest variety of molecular authentication. The ITS region was targeted for molecular analysis with Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) specific for morphologically similar to E. gracilistylus, E. senticosus, E. sessiliflorus from their adulterant, moreover, E. sieboldianus were detected within sequence data. Thus, based on these SNP sites, specific primers were designed and multiplex PCR analysis were conducted for molecular authentication of four plants (E. gracilistylus, E. senticosus, E. sessiliflorus, and E. sieboldianus). The findings of results indicated that ITS region might be established multiplex-PCR analysis systems and hence were proved to be an effective tools for molecular evaluation and comparison of 'Ogapi' with other plants.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.280-289
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• 2021

Genetic markers currently used for the discrimination of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subspecies have low efficiency for identification at subspecies level. Therefore, our objective in this study was to select novel genetic markers for accurate identification and discrimination of six L. delbrueckii subspecies based on pangenome analysis. We evaluated L. delbrueckii genomes to avoid making incorrect conclusions in the process of selecting genetic markers due to mislabeled genomes. Genome analysis showed that two genomes of L. delbrueckii subspecies deposited at NCBI were misidentified. Based on these results, subspecies-specific genetic markers were selected by comparing the core and pangenomes. Genetic markers were confirmed to be specific for 59,196,562 genome sequences via in silico analysis. They were found in all strains of the same subspecies, but not in other subspecies or bacterial strains. These genetic markers also could be used to accurately identify genomes at the subspecies level for genomes known at the species level. A real-time PCR method for detecting three main subspecies (L. delbrueckii subsp. delbrueckii, lactis, and bulgaricus) was developed to cost-effectively identify them using genetic markers. Results showed 100% specificity for each subspecies. These genetic markers could differentiate each subspecies from 44 other lactic acid bacteria. This real-time PCR method was then applied to monitor 26 probiotics and dairy products. It was also used to identify 64 unknown strains isolated from raw milk samples and dairy products. Results confirmed that unknown isolates and subspecies contained in the product could be accurately identified using this real-time PCR method.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.629-636
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• 2022

Colletotrichum species is known as the major causal pathogen of red pepper anthracnose in Korea and various groups of fungicides are registered for the management of the disease. However, the consistent use of fungicides has resulted in the development of resistance in many red pepper-growing areas of Korea. Effective management of the occurrence of fungicide resistance depends on constant monitoring and early detection. Thus, in this study, various methods such as agar dilution method (ADM), gene sequencing, allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) were applied for the detection of benzimidazole resistance among 24 isolates of Colletotrichum acutatum s. lat. and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides s. lat. The result of the ADM showed that C. gloeosporioides s. lat. was classified into sensitive and resistant isolates to benomyl while C. acutatum s. lat. was insensitive at ≥1 ㎍/ml of benomyl. The sequence analysis of the β-tubulin gene showed the presence of a single nucleotide mutation at the 198th amino acid position of five isolates (16CACY14, 16CAYY19, 15HN5, 15KJ1, and 16CAYY7) of C. gloeosporioides s. lat. Allele-specific PCR and PCR-RFLP were used to detect point mutation at 198th amino acid position and this was done within a day unlike ADM which usually takes more than one week and thus saving time and resources that are essential in the fungicide resistance management in the field. Therefore, the molecular techniques established in this study can warrant early detection of benzimidazole fungicide resistance for the adoption of management strategies that can prevent yield losses among farmers.